According to experts, people should be advised to alter their supper times and lower their temperatures in order to prevent blackouts this next winter.
According to UK National Infrastructure Commission Chairman Sir John Armitt, the general people should be encouraged to reduce their energy use as part of emergency preparedness for the worst-case scenario amid anticipated gas shortages throughout the winter.
It occurs as Cornwall Insight, a consultant, predicts that annual energy costs would rise to £3,245 in October under the price cap.
According to its analysts, costs might increase from the current record high of £1,971 to $3,245 in October and then to $3,364 at the beginning of the next year.
According to the report, the price ceiling for the typical family might rise by £360 more in January than originally anticipated.
The government is preparing for a possible supply shortage from Russia into Europe by making backup plans before winter.
As a result, six million homes may experience power outages this winter.
In order to lessen the dependency on gas, Sir John told The Telegraph that individuals should be advised to lower their thermostats during the colder months and limit home activities like cooking and washing the dishes during peak hours, between 6pm and 8pm.
First, he suggested conducting a public relations campaign to ask people to limit their consumption as much as possible.
‘People will have to shift their cooking patterns. ‘Do we need to heat our homes at 21C or is it more efficient to have a steady lower temperature?’
‘The Government could ask people to turn down their thermostats. I’d be amazed if the Government didn’t do this at some point this winter.’
He added that asking the public to reduce usage is ‘the responsible thing to do.’
‘Treat the public like grownups and be open about the challenge and how we can all help,’ he said.
It comes after other countries facing energy shortages have advised their populations to ration their usage.
In Germany, housing associations are restricting hot water, while individuals and companies in Japan have been ordered to turn off lights and unneeded air conditioning.
In an effort to conserve energy for the winter, authorities across Germany are also shutting down swimming pools and advising the general public to take shorter showers.
Australia’s energy minister is urging people to avoid using power between 6 and 8 o’clock in the evening.
It follows the UK Government’s introduction of the energy supply plan in Parliament earlier this week. Increasing nuclear and hydrogen technology is encouraged under the policy, although little is said about lowering demand.
The Government has previously stated there is little risk to energy supply in the UK, but Sir John’s comments indicate plans should be made nonetheless.
Money Saving Expert founder Lewis has previously said that ‘far more’ help is needed for British families in what’s set to be a ‘catastrophic’ winter saying it will ‘push millions into poverty.’
The Cornwall Insight estimate marks a steep rise from previous predictions, as international gas prices remain stubbornly high.
The energy consultant previously forecasted that costs will increase to £2,981 in October and £3,003 in January. This prediction was made on June 22.
The projections are based on the annual gas and electricity costs for a typical home. Higher bills will result from a household purchasing more energy, and vice versa.
The latest forecasts are depressing and will add to the pressure already being felt by consumers as the cost-of-living problem drives up food prices.
In April, the average household’s energy costs increased by 54%.
Even with the highest amount of government assistance, homeowners would still be in a worse financial situation than they were before the crisis, according to Cornwall’s January estimates, as the price ceiling was at £1,277 last winter.
Former chancellor Rishi Sunak promised a £15 billion plan before he left office to cope with the growing cost of living. It guaranteed the most disadvantaged households up to £1,200.
There is always a chance that the market may stabilize and decline in time for the January cap to be imposed, according to Dr. Craig Lowrey of Cornwall Insight.
The high wholesale costs are already “baked in” to the number, with little possibility of relief from the anticipated high energy expenditures, despite the fact that the announcement of the October cap is only a month away.